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Physics at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
50
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $51,927/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 of 75 Physics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Physics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $565K $556K $516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.0x 10.8x 10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.2x 4.1x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 50 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,584
Out-of-state: $135,004 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Physics graduates start at $51,927/yr — above the $46,482 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Physics's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

At #36 of 75 Physics programs, Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

A 90% acceptance rate means Colorado State University-Fort Collins is accessible to most applicants, with 25,148 students enrolled in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physics teachers, postsecondary $97,360/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 75 schools offering Physics →

Physics at Other Schools

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($70,150) Brigham Young University ($68,664) University of Pennsylvania ($68,215) Whitworth University ($65,316) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($64,045) Portland State University ($62,749) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($62,647) Georgia College & State University ($62,478)

Other Majors at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,856) Construction Engineering Technologies ($78,423) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,038) Civil Engineering ($73,326) Information Science/Studies ($67,827) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($66,109) Chemical Engineering ($62,468) Mechanical Engineering ($60,720)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physics at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Physics field.
Will AI replace Physics careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $515,699 in decade earnings vs $564,933 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →